Compare results

Often, it is useful to see the difference between simulations with different values for a single parameter.

1. Once you have a completed mechanism, go to the parameter of interest.
2. Enter the first value for the parameter and click OK.
3. Run the simulation.
4. On the ribbon, click Dynamic Simulation tab Results panel Output Grapher .
5. Display and save the simulation results.
   • In the Output Grapher browser, click the result of interest.

     The plot of the selected result appears in the graph window .

   • On the Output Grapher toolbar, click Save Simulation .
   • On the Dynamic Simulation Save dialog box, in the Save in text box, enter the directory where you want to save this simulation.

     Alternatively, you can use the icons on the left side of the dialog box to browse to the appropriate directory.

   • In the File name text box, enter the name you want to give this file.
   • If you want the file extension to be something other than .iaa, enter the appropriate extension in the Save as type text box.
   • Click Save to save the results and close the dialog box.
6. On the Simulation Player, click Construction Mode .

   It is not necessary to close the Output Grapher.

7. Return to the parameter of interest.
8. Enter the second value for the parameter and click OK.
9. Run the simulation.
10. In the Output Grapher, load the saved results.
    • In the Output Grapher browser, click the result of interest.

      The plot of the selected result appears in the graph window.

    • On the Output Grapher toolbar, click Import Simulation.
    • On the Dynamic Simulation Load file dialog box, in the Look in text box, enter the directory where the simulation results are saved.

      Alternatively, you can use the icons on the left side of the dialog box to browse to the appropriate directory.

    • In the File name text box, enter the name of the file containing the saved simulation results.
    • If the file extension is something other than .iaa, enter the correct extension in the Files of type text box.
    • Click Open to load the results file and close the dialog box.

      There is a new hierarchy of results in the Output Grapher browser. It has the name of the file containing the saved simulation. Other than that change, the file structure is the same as the structure for the current hierarchy.

11. In the Output Grapher browser, click the imported result of interest.

    The plot of the saved result appears in the graph window with the current result of the same type, but with different parameter values.

    If you want to plot the difference between the two results, use the Create curve feature to create a plot of the difference.